The Nigerian Bar Association has offered to provide pro bono representation to indigent end-bad governance protesters who were arrested by the police and recently arraigned in Court. The NBA President Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, announced this on his verified X handle on Wednesday stating that the association would monitor the remaining arraignment of the
The Nigerian Bar Association has offered to provide pro bono representation to indigent end-bad governance protesters who were arrested by the police and recently arraigned in Court.
The NBA President Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, announced this on his verified X handle on Wednesday stating that the association would monitor the remaining arraignment of the detained protesters.
He further explained that the association is working with human rights lawyers to ensure that none of the detained protesters suffers injustice, adding that the team will be in court and will continue to monitor proceedings to ensure that the rule of law is upheld.
He wrote: “I have directed the branches of the Nigerian Bar Association to monitor the trials of the #EndBadGovernance protesters
“Additionally, I have launched a pro bono support initiative for protesters who lack legal representation.
“The Nigerian Bar Association Citizens’ Liberties Committee (NBA-CLC) has been tasked with liaising closely with the chairmen and human rights committees of NBA branches in regions where protesters are currently being prosecuted. This ensures that no defendant suffers injustice.
“The NBA legal team will continue to monitor court proceedings to ensure that trials are conducted with strict adherence to due process, safeguarding the legal rights of all defendants.
“The Nigerian Bar Association legal teams are in courts and will continue to monitor proceedings to ensure that the rule of law is upheld, the human rights of defendants are protected, and justice is served.”
The Federal Government had filed treason charges against 10 protesters, including a British citizen, Andrew Martin Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich), for their participation in the ten days #EndBadGovernance protests, in which some Nigerians took to the streets to agitate against economic hardships in the country.
The 10 protesters charged are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (also known as Lenin), 28; Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (also known as Yomi), 34; Suleiman Yakubu, 28; Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, 50; Angel Love Innocent, 51; Buhari Lawal, 21; Mosiu Sadiq, 28; Bashir Bello (also known as Murtala), 51; Nuradeen Khamis, 47; and Abdulsalam Zubairu, 37.
The charges also include others at large, such as Lucky Ehis Obiyan and Comrade Musa Abdullahi. The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, include felony and treason, contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code. The protesters are accused of conspiring to destabilize Nigeria, inciting mutiny, and levying war against the state.
In his ruling on Monday, the Federal High Court Judge, Emeka Nwite, ordered the 10 defendants remanded in prison until 11 September to rule on their bail application.
The police have also declared Mr Wynne wanted on Monday and obtained a warrant for his arrest from the same court in Abuja on Tuesday.
This development has however sparked reactions from international and local organisations who are calling for the release of the protesters.
